The Drought
2Judah mourns;
her city gates languish.14:2 Is 3:26
Her people are on the ground in mourning;
Jerusalem’s cry rises up.14:2 1Sm 5:12
3Their nobles send their servants14:3 Lit little ones for water.
They go to the cisterns;
they find no water;
their containers return empty.
They are ashamed and humiliated;
4The ground is cracked
since no rain has fallen on the land.
The farmers are ashamed;14:4 Jl 1:11
they cover their heads.
5Even the doe in the field
gives birth and abandons her fawn
since there is no grass.
panting for air like jackals.
Their eyes fail
because there are no green plants.
7Though our iniquities testify against us,
Lord, act for your name’s sake.
its Savior in time of distress,
why are you like a resident alien in the land,
like a traveler stopping only for the night?
9Why are you like a helpless man,
like a warrior unable to save?14:9 Is 59:1
Yet you are among us, Lord,14:9 Ex 29:45
and we bear your name.
Don’t leave us!
10This is what the Lord says concerning these people:
they never rest their feet.
So the Lord does not accept them.
Now he will remember their iniquity
and punish their sins.14:10 Hs 8:13
False Prophets to Be Punished
14But the Lord said to me, “These prophets are prophesying a lie in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a false vision, worthless divination, the deceit14:14 Ps 119:118; Jr 8:5; 23:26 of their own minds.14:14 Jr 5:31; 20:6; 23:25–26,32; 27:10,14–16; 29:9,21,31
15“Therefore, this is what the Lord says concerning the prophets who prophesy in my name, though I did not send them, and who say, ‘There will never be sword or famine in this land.’ By sword and famine these prophets will meet their end.
Jeremiah’s Request
17You are to speak this word to them:
Let my eyes overflow with tears;
for my dearest people14:17 Lit for the virgin daughter of my people
18If I go out to the field,
look — those slain by the sword!
If I enter the city,
look — those ill14:18 Dt 29:22 from famine!
For both prophet and priest
travel to a land they do not know.
19Have you completely rejected Judah?
Why do you strike us
with no hope of healing for us?
We hoped for peace,
but there was nothing good;
for a time of healing,
20We acknowledge our wickedness, Lord,
indeed, we have sinned against you.
21For your name’s sake, don’t despise us.
do not break it.
Or can the skies alone give showers?
Are you not the Lord our God?
for you have done all these things.
Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard
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